Volunteer and Partner Awards – Explore the Arizona Trail

Volunteer and Partnership Award Recipients

The strength of the ATA comes from the passion and dedication of its members, volunteers and partners. Each year at the Annual Meeting, ATA Staff and Board Members award individuals who’s service and commitment has had a significant impact on the Arizona Trail.

2023

2024

Kent Taylor

Lifetime Achievement Award

Kent has dedicated his career to connecting people with trails and developing healthy communities infused with nature. He recently retired as Pinal County’s Director of Open Space & Trails, and helped improve the quality of the Arizona Trail throughout the country while elevating its importance as a resource for locals and visitors alike. Kent also served on the ATA Board of Directors for many years, and his numerous contributions will benefit the organization and the trail well into the future. We are beyond grateful for his many years of selfless service.

Adam Milnor

Outstanding Agency Partner Award

Since taking the position as leader of the Recreation, Heritage and Lands program on the Coronado National Forest, Adam has done incredible things for the AZT! Developing the Santa Catalina Trail Plan, funding a dedicated trail crew, and supporting completion of the Casa Blanca Canyon Passage construction project are just a few of Adam’s accomplishments. We are honored to have him as a stalwart supporter and stellar agency partner.

David Rabb

Outstanding Volunteer Award

Superstar sawyer, terrific trail steward and a dedicated board member, David is a versatile volunteer who has been a valuable part of the AZT community since the trail’s infancy. With years of experience and refined skills, he is a natural leader at trail work events. David’s pride and passion for the AZT take him off the trail as well. He is an active rail angel, outreach volunteer and Treasurer for the ATA Board of Directors.

Greg Peters

Outstanding Volunteer Award

Over the last decade, Greg has assembled professionally trained teams of amateur radio operators to support the AZT’s endurance events by providing communications support in remote areas through the Pima County Office of Emergency Management. His commitment to community safety, emergency preparedness and health and wellness are second to none.

Rosemary and John Beck

Outstanding Volunteer Award

If you haven’t seen these two in action, you are missing out. With a wealth of AZT knowledge and enthusiasm, Rosemary and Joh captivate community members at outreach events. When they aren’t sharing their excitement with the public, you can find them working on the trail, hauling supplies, or doing whatever else is needed to support the ATA. Rosemary and Jon are an unstoppable team for positive change.

Larry Doyle

Outstanding Volunteer Award

As a segment steward of five years and a regular at trail work events, Larry is a familiar face within the AZT community. His experience volunteering on the National Scenic Trails brings a valuable perspective, and his musical talent entertains at volunteer events throughout the state. Larry isn’t just a hard worker; with his productivity comes a sense of humor that lightens even the most daunting of tasks.

Deana Linton

Outstanding Volunteer Award

If there is a camp kitchen around, it’s easy to find Deana in it creating a welcoming environment for volunteers. No camp kitchen at the event? Not to worry. Deana is happy to assist wherever there is need. No matter what the task, she’s always ready to lend a helping hand. She is a delight to have around and makes and excellent camp co-host. If you’re lucky, Deana may even have her pup, Falkor, alongside for additional support.

Bea Mendivil

Community Partner Award

Bea demonstrated deep altruism and care toward Arizona Trail Youth Ambassadors by dedicating countless hours toward their development as Field Leaders with Tucson Audubon Society. Bea has a deep desire for justice, equality and a healthy community. Her work changed the lives of our Ambassadors due to her authenticity, brave compassion and the quality of her work in uplifting their personhood. Bea continues to develop opportunities for our interns to grow and become exceptional members of our community.

Mimi Murov

Youth Empowerment Award

Serving as an integral intergenerational mentor and leader, Mimi embodies countless qualities that make her an asset to the Gear Girls program. Infused with a heart of gold, she brings warmth and dedication to her role, creating an environment where young women feel empowered and supported. Mimi’s influence extends beyond trails, as she imparts irreplicable energy and insightful perspectives on the natural world. Her commitment to fostering a sense of community and empowerment makes her a beacon of inspiration within the program

Justine Hernandez

Youth Empowerment Award

Justine is GRO girl GRO Volunteer Extraordinaire! She has been a part of the program since before we launched in February, and has consistently been on our weekly adventures throughout the year. Justine is energetic, compassionate, professional and such an incredible role model for all of the girls we work with. Her perspective and feedback have been invaluable as we have grown our program.

STAR School

Community Partner Award

The STAR School (Service to All Relations) serves Native American students from Flagstaff and the Navajo Nation, and is one of our newest community partners. In 2023, we co-led 10 outings on the Arizona Trail with their 4th-8th grade students. We also organized a Wellness Walk for the entire school, with 90 indigenous students and their teachers walking three miles together on Passage 32 of the AZT. We are grateful for the STAR School’s guidance on culturally responsive teachings, perspectives and knowledge sharing that enhances everyone one of our school partnerships in Northern Arizona.

Collin and Adrianna Nolan

Trail Advocacy & Conservation Award

Collin has been a steadfast supporter of AZT’s Veteran Program since attending his first Veteran Volunteer Work Weekend in 2021. Known for taking great pride in his stewardship responsibilities on Passage 9d, Collin’s commitment to the AZT VETS is matched only by his love for his son, Jameson, and wife, Adrianna. Adrianna – whom we lovingly call “Chef” around camp – has volunteered countless hours to plan, prep and execute some of the most spectacular meals ever created in a backcountry setting for our veteran crews while allowing Jameson the space to explore and connect with the natural world.

Rebeca Rodriguez

Social Media Ambassador Award

Rebeca’s enthusiasm for the Arizona Trail really shined through in 2023! Her frequent social media posts help advance the Baaj Nwaavjo I’tah Kukveni – Ancestral Footprints of the Grand Canyon National Monument; informed the public about trail etiquette, safety and Leave No Trace ethics; promoted ATA events, merchandise and initiatives; and increased awareness of the AZT far and wide. We are grateful for her representing the AZT & ATA in such a positive way

Melody and Tim Varner

Outstanding Trail Angel Award

Long distance trail users appreciate this dedicated duo, but you don’t have to take our word for it. Here’s what some thru-hikers are saying about Melody and Tim: “They saved my hike and my time with them was a highlight of the AZT. Melody and Tim are truly trail angels.” “…they made us feel completely at home. Even on the trail itself, people are talking about them. I’ve met several people for whom their rest day at Melody and Tim’s was a highlight of their hike.”

2023

Jan Hancock

A striking woman with dark hair standing next to a horse

Jan Hancock

Lifetime Achievement Award 2023

Jan has dedicated her life to worthy causes that improve the quality of life for all Arizonans. She is a founding Board Member of the ATA and literally wrote the book on equestrian design standards for trails and trailheads throughout the nation. She continues to advance great trail projects in Arizona through her work with the Maricopa Trail Foundation and the Sun Corridor Trail Alliance. Jan’s visionary leadership and kindness over the past 30 years make her a vital part of the trail community.

Mark Flint

A man with a grey beard and a bucket hat standing in the desert

Mark Flint

Lifetime Achievement Award 2023

Ask most trail stewards and ATA staff and board members how they got involved and the majority will say, “Mark Flint!” Mark has been a champion of the Arizona Trail since its inception, and he has designed and built more miles, recruited more volunteers, and inspired more youth and veterans than we can possibly count. Dedicated individuals like Mark make the AZT what it is, and we are honored to celebrate his decades of service.

Ali Ayers

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Ali Ayers

Outstanding Agency Partner Award 2023

All of our recent successes on the Kaibab Plateau can be attributed to the outstanding support of Ali Ayers, Wilderness and Trails Staff from the North Kaibab Ranger District. Ali has taken the lead on the Mangum Fire and Orderville Reroute construction projects, general trail maintenance, sign upgrades, and so much more.

Angie Abel

A woman in a blue puffy vest and a small smile holding an award

Angie Abel

Outstanding Agency Partner Award 2023

A powerhouse on the Payson Ranger District, Angie is helping to take the Arizona Trail, Highline Trail, and other trails within Mogollon Rim country to the next level of safety and sustainability. Great things are happening under her leadership and we are grateful for her ability to navigate administrative challenges to get good work done on the ground.

Charles Neal

Two men standing in front of a desert image holding an award plaque

Charles Neal and VETS Coordinator Michael “Chappy” Chappell

Trail Advocacy & Conservation Award 2023

Charles’s dedication to AZT VETS and commitment to trail stewardship is an unwavering example to other veterans wanting to experience a new ‘mission’ while immersed in the healing power of nature. Since joining the VETS Program in 2021, Charles has dedicated nearly 190 volunteer hours and attended almost every veteran event since. We thank him for his service to the Arizona Trail.

John Yazzie

A man in a yellow hard hat holding a tool in the forest

John Yazzie, Jr.

Outstanding Stewardship 2023

John exemplifies the model of trail stewardship that the ATA has envisioned for years. Living just a short distance from passage 31, he visits segment C regularly and is intimately familiar with it in every season and weather condition. Most issues are addressed before they have a chance to negatively impact trail users, and he is thorough in his communications with ATA staff and partners. We admire his dedication and his expertise with managing a popular piece of the Arizona Trail.

Alex Derr

A man in glasses and a black jacket and a black knit cap standing in a sunlit forest

Alex Derr

Outstanding Stewardship 2023

Alex is a recently new steward on Passage 23d in the Mazatzal Mountains, but he has already had a tremendous impact on both his passage and on access to the Mazatzal Divide segment in general. In helping to open up access trails, work on adjoining segments and scout water sources, he has embraced the ideals of a remote wilderness steward with gusto. Thank you Alex for your hard work and perseverance in a challenging area.